17 rem ammo

[plugger]

I am very new to this so be easy on me. I have been shooting things for a very long time and now I've been captivated by the TC pistol. My first is a G2 with a Bullberry 17 Rem with a 2x TC lobo scope. After research I found a 17 HMR is alot cheaper to shoot. I also understand what each can do leaving the barrel and beyond. So I got a very nice 17 HMR super 14 from Larry, on this site, and it is nice barrel. Got some 17 HMR rounds very resonable. A proper forend should arrive any day now then I'll shoot it. I found a shop with 4 20 round boxes of 17 Rem. I think my 17 Rem ammo may be more dear then the whole package. Kidding alittle, but I wonder if 17 Rem will ever be back on the market. I've read about similar rounds and I know fur guys love this 17 Rem round espeacially down under. In Florida here we never see anything beyound 110 yards. So while I never like to sell a gun that I have, am I holding a caliber that will be a relic? I'm bidding on barrels everywhere and I like them all, I want them all. But what should I beleave about the future of 17 Rem. Did I mention I want to shoot this thing soon? Save the 17 Rem, and press on with the 17 HMR or just shoot it all. Help plz.
 
I know the adverb is the poor tool of a weak mind so I apologize for it use here.

[Bugflipper]

The 17 rem is still being produced. It's just not a common enough round for most places to stock. http://www.venturamunitions.com/17-remington-20-gr-v-max-hunting-shack-ammunition-50-rounds/ Most likely it will be cheaper to order in bulk and pay shipping as opposed to 20 round rem boxes.
It being a fine fur round will probably keep it going for awhile. Rem came out with the 17 rem fireball. That may help or hurt it, who knows? Most likely with the hmr and hm2 along with the two factory centerfires things are looking better for the 17 rem than in the early 70's though.

[stubshaft]

Handloading the .17 Rem is a breeze and much cheaper that buying 17 hmr's.  Cases can be formed out of 223's (might have to turn the necks) but they last for a long time.

[Ladobe]

Bernie,
The 17 Remy, and the 17 caliber wildcats that mimic its ballistics are the quintessential 17's for coyotes and easily the best go to 17 when the ranges get long.   All of them are DRT on coyotes with a good hit.   The 17 Remy is always at its best with worked up handloads, and that is especially true in the short tubes to get the best efficiency out of it.    The 17MachIV didn't replace the 17 Remy, so IMO the newer 17 Rem Fireball will not either.   While the 17M4 (and so the 17 RFB) are also excellent coyote choices that are effective almost as far as the 17 Remy, they are just not as decisive on the longer shots or on shots that don't quite find the mark you had hoped they would.   If you decide to keep the 17 Remy barrel you really need to load for it though.   Way easier now days than when I got my first one.   I still have my form/trim/ream dies to take 223 brass down to it, a well over $300 die set - ouch!    Picking up 17 brass is now easy enough, plus you have the factory ammo brass you could reload and they may be more than enough for your uses (if not I've got a bunch).   The brass will last a long time and give you many firings, especially if not pushed to max.   The 17HMR will get it done too at your ranges with shot placement.   Enjoy that barrel pard - its a keeper.
Larry
 

[plugger]

Now that was easy, ammo company with plenty in stock and some of the best reasons to get into reloading that I've always wanted to get into. My only experience thus far has been Alliant 2400 in my Cliff Huston in line 59 cal 2 barrel. Boy does, did, he make some good guns. So that space in my man cave will start looking more and more like a reload station. Thanks Larry, you did say this whole thing gets worse once I get started, and again your wisdom shows through.
So far when I visit reload forums I get the feeling these guys are speaking a strange lingo, but I know time and more time helps heal that. Looks like the  17 rem goes to the range with Larry's barrel and it's new furniture that came in today. Thanks again

[Ladobe]

If you are jumping into reloading, especially if new to you, buy the Lyman Reloading Handbook 49th and read it cover to cover.   Takes a lot of the mystery out of reloading, outlines safe practices and will help you with equipment choices to spread your buying funds further.    I first started reloading in 1959, and my uncle had a copy (40th I think).   I bought my own years later (44th maybe) and a 47th when they came out.   I still referred to them now and then right up until I stopped reloading a few years ago.
 
Even that short tube 17 Remy barrel should push 25 grain pills 3900FPS  with fast powders that when sighted in for 200 yards will only be less than 1" high at 100 and a little something over 4" low at 300.    Makes it death on anything up to 200 from little diggers to coyotes if the barrel wears a scope that can aim small, and still is fairly acceptable for coyotes at 300 for a handgun shooting field position's off a bipod or with a lean.   At 300 you won't be shooting for the right or left eye like you could at the closer ranges, but a heart/lung shot ought to be pretty easy with enough retained energy for a DRT kill with a good hit.
 
Have fun at the range and let us know how it went.